Eateries receive outdoor liquor licenses

August 16, 2013

(Pendulum File Photo)
The Grille on Main will now offer patrons alcohol service in a sidewalk setup.

EAST GREENWICH â It didnât take very long for three local eating establishments to jump at the chance to both apply for â and receive â licenses to serve alcoholic beverages within the exterior setups of their respective businesses.

La Masseria, Fresco and The Grille on Main, all based on Main Street, were granted outdoor liquor licenses by the East Greenwich Town Council Tuesday evening at Town Hall, just a little over a month after the Council made amendments to the Town ordinance regarding outdoor service.
Just prior to formally voting on the three presentations, Town Council President Michael Isaacs asked if the applicants can make sure that they are fully aware of the requirements for outdoor service, such as setting up a temporary barrier that separates the restaurant from the sidewalk, and follow them accordingly.
The setup that La Masseria has includes a gated barrier with the tables in close proximity of the restaurant, which is located at 223 Main St. Isaacs said the barriers for the other two establishments â Fresco and The Grille on Main â can be something similar to drapes or a velvet rope, but it has to be a barrier of some sort.
Councilman Mark Gee, who was the only ânayâ vote on all three applications out of the five-member quorum Tuesday evening, clarified his reasoning that his opposition has nothing to do with the restaurants or the owners specifically, but rather the idea of limiting the sidewalk access.
âIt is my feeling on general principle that blocking the sidewalk in such a way is something that I donât like to see,â Gee said.

For the rest of this story and more local news, pick up the August 15 issue of the East Greenwich Pendulum.